The National tribune., 1887-07-21

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night attack was expected, IL was laughablS
80 see the pot-wresuurs and invaiids making
tracks toward the trenches.
Our picllets were IN many places so clOsS
60 The enemy that we could hear them talk
The provisions were cooked in camp and
carried out 10 the lines under cover Of dark.
ness, and often when the cooks had put in
an appearance,
ARMED WITH PORK AND BEANS
and kettles Of fragrant coffee, we were com.
pelicd 10 defer an attack on the fodder ano
Fepulse mn attack OF the enemy.
A few days before the baille OF Oak Grove
100 volunteers were called for TO assist in re-
establishing q portion Of the Ticket-line
which had been taken by the enemy the day
before Lieut. T. d. Shook, Of Co B 9th
Mich. WAS placed In command Of those who
volunteered lor this service. The writer was
one oi those engaged in this irsCas After
we had driven the JOhnnies into their holes
several of the boys took possession OF a small
huck iebarry swamp and proceeded to GA up
with huclglubcuios regardless OF the Oc-
casioual shots fred al them by the eXasper-
Rted enemy.
Soon Cen. Kearnv rode un and asked The
Lieutenant what his men were doing IN
there. Shook paused in bis efforts 10 reach
o tempting cluster of fruit, and with his
mouth .ull orbeTics. informed the General
thai bis command was engaged in
PICKING HUCKLEBERRIEs
Just then the rebs fired yolley into the
swamp making the leaves 1y at lively
rate
"Ieutcuant. get your men out of there
quick. 0rthcyll Hll DE killed. shouted kcarny
"Calt DO it General replied the Lcuten-
ant. 4" All HI couiln't drive 'em out Of
there until they get through picking berries; I"
and kcaruy rode OF multlrIHg, Those Michi-
gan men arc the d-dest fools ] ever saw"
Early 0n the morning OF June % the 9th
Mich, linen on picket, Was ordered 90 advance
and drive back the cncmy's pckets. We were
dcplovtd as skirmishcTs, and advanced TO the
attack supported by the balance OF the brigade.
The Joinnies retired huuiedly, and we were
soon in possession of their picket-liue. ] re-
member several of MS came upon rude shanty
built by the rebs to protect them from the
weather On entering il we found several
hoecales OF pones made OF c0rnmeal. These
we speedily deyOurod, aud then pressed for
ward
IN SEARCH OF MORE.
As we emerged from the wood into an open field
we discovered The enemy drawn mp in force
waiting for us, and Abe Alderman remarked:
There, boys is lots Of johnny-Cake. IL you
want il just help Yourself" but our officers
though; The risk too great, and ordered Us back
into tie timber
The 37th ~ Y. had et-to with those in our
front. and fired several volleys into them, hut
the rehs held their ground. During the day
Gen H0o6ers Division had a stubborn fight TO
our right losing quite a number OF men. This
was the FIRST Of the seven days fight, and known
as Oak Grove. in THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
OF July 8, lss6, Maj. Henry 0'Brien gave a
very interesting aud authentic account OF this
battle.
At daybrealy on June 9th we were aroused
by heavy artillery firing in the direction Of
hechanicsvllle Our position on this day was
a most trying one. All day we heard the steady
roar OF battle, and were under arms, expecting
90 be
CALLED UPON TO ASSIST.
At tnightiall we went into the trenches, and lay
there all night awaituE an attack. During the
night ail unnecessary baggage officers tents
bales Of clothing and blankets, and surplus sup
plies o. every description were collected in piles,
and when daylight appeared the torch was ap-
piled Then we realized that our work and
sufierngs Of months was Of no avail. We had
Knocked at the very door Of Secession and
stretched forth fingers OF steel 10 clutch the
throat 0i Treason, but the enemy had escaped
our grasp, and with soT0Wlul hearts we started
Oh the race for the James River.
At the crossing OF the Chiokahominy the
enemy was close upon u.s. Capt. ThOmpsOn's
battery took position on the opposite bank Of
The stream, supported by Co.'S A and of the
5th Mich. Soon the rebs approached and at
tempted to cross, but
THOMPSON FED THEM
with grape and canister until they concluded to
desst from the attempt. We retired under
cover Of darkness and Joined the division near
Charles City Crossroads.
About4 p. m we were hastened forward 10
assist in repuising attack at the last-named
place. The 9Th was ordered 10 charge and drive
the enemy from our front During this charge
was wounded in the left thigh. ] crawled
back behind q tree and lay there until the regi-
ment was relieved, and when il moved back
managed 20 hohble along with the assistance Of
comrades. Mai. John ID. Fairbanks command
ing our regiment was mOrtAlly wounded IN this
engagement, and died few weeks later Capt
:. ;. Matthew's, Of Co. ID. had leg broken, and
Jay on the ground without shelter for ID days.
he was finally taken TO Richmond, aud paroled
the following August.
MY wound was very painful, but no bones
were broken, and that night, whom our troops
retired 70 Malvern Hin, managed 20 keep up
with them. On arriving at Malvern Hin, my
captain tried TO procure transportation for sew
eTal ol as who were wounded, but Was unable
~ do 30. j was determined
NOT 10 BE TAKEN PRISONER
a. a N1HtA Niaolhla AN1tA lLs ana Milen bne TeEl-
ment moved out 10 take It's place in line OF bat
dc ] went with it.
ht p. ID. the enemy moved up IN splendid
order % attack our portion Of the line, but
hail Of bullets from our boys created fearful
gaps in their ranks. The enemy repeatedly
attacked with desperate courage but were re-
pulsed each time. The air was full Of fying
Fragments bursting bombs. and the dense, lot
smoke ol exploded powder. Men were grith-
Ing in agony, trying 10 tear their cothiug from
irghtini wounds On with glazing eyes talsingn
last look -ab9ut thlm. They were heaped ia
struggling masses, some dead, some dying
Bloody landagcs adorned the broRs Of men
who WOula not yield while strength remained
In none u the previous battles before Rich
mond had the Fighting been confined 10 30 small
space as in this action, aud
TIRE SLAUGHTER WAS TERRIBLE
The battle OF Malvern lk II VIII ever hold an
enduring place in the annals Of our civil war
hore Gen. Mcclellan displayed his talents Ia
the most advantageous light.
Thai uiglt ] was placed in an ammunition
wagon aud rode 10 Hsrrisons Landing, and
from ihcre wac sent 10 hospital al Alexandria
Va. on my return 10 the regiment late iu
Angus preparations were being made 10 move
the army on the Peninsula.
The Jth Mich. was roar-guard for orr cerns
m tic march to Yorktown. That march was
scFeIe lTlal 70 man aud beast. A brazon sun
cast US luriu beams out OF a hot aud conner
colorrG sky upon troops whose tongues hung
al hall mast, and who ever and anon msrtnured
water water! Many comrades dropped By the
"ayslde, and are nov marked upon the